Which type of RNA functions to carry genetic information from DNA to the ribosome?

• A. mRNA
• B. tRNA
• C. rRNA
• D. snRNA

Answer: (A)

Messenger RNA serves as the carrier of genetic information from DNA to the ribosome where the code is read to build a protein. It is produced by transcription from a DNA template and contains codons that specify the sequence of amino acids in the protein. At the ribosome, the codons are read, and transfer RNAs bring the corresponding amino acids to form the growing polypeptide chain. Other RNA types have different roles: tRNA delivers amino acids to the ribosome, rRNA makes up the ribosome itself and drives peptide bond formation, and snRNA participates in RNA splicing. Thus, mRNA is the molecule that directly conveys the genetic message from DNA to the site of protein synthesis.